Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Tips

COVID-19 spreads when an infected person speaks, coughs, sneezes, shouts, or sings and releases respiratory droplets and aerosols that contain the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. These respiratory droplets can land on and contaminate surfaces. Spit or nasal discharge can also contaminate surfaces, for example if an infected person sneezes into their hand or wipes their nose, and then touches a surface with unwashed hands.

COVID-19 may then spread to others when they touch a virus-contaminated surface (also referred to as a fomite), and then touch their mouth, nose, or eyes (mucous membranes) with unwashed hands. This type of spread from a surface to a person is called ‘fomite transmission’.

While it is unknown how long the COVID-19 virus remains infectious (viable) on surfaces, it has been detected for a few hours to days afterwards, depending on the type of surface and environmental factors such as temperature and humidity.

Using contaminated high-touch surfaces and shared objects can increase the risk of COVID-19 transmission in the workplace, so it is important for employers to protect their workers and others by developing a cleaning and disinfecting program.

• Include cleaning and disinfecting in your COVID-19 safety plan.
• Perform a risk assessment before implementing new cleaning and disinfecting procedures or updating existing ones. Avoid creating new hazards.
• Develop a written procedure for reference and training.
• Create a schedule for cleaning and disinfecting before, during, and after the workday.
• Record the cleaning and disinfecting activities (e.g., checklist, digital record). File and save the completed records, as an inspector might request proof that a program has been implemented and is being followed.
• Make sure the program includes shared areas such as kitchens and washrooms, break rooms, reception areas, meeting rooms, congregate housing, elevators, and vehicles.
• Identify and list the frequently touched (high-touch) surfaces and objects in your workplace that are most likely to be contaminated, such as:
  • light switches, door handles, control buttons, counters and tabletops, chairs, railings, debit machines, automated teller machines (ATMs), vending machines, touchscreens, keyboards and mice, phones, shared pens or pencils, faucets, taps, flush levers, sanitizer dispensers, water bottle refill stations, and protective barriers.
• High-touch surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected more often than lower risk ones, as well as when visibly dirty, or between users.
• Clean and disinfect work areas before and after external contractors complete their work.
• Consider how to effectively clean and disinfect soft furnishings and objects such as cushions, soft toys, clothing, bedding, magazines, newspapers, and books. Reduce the use of soft-surfaced objects as much as possible.
• In the event a worker or client becomes sick in the workplace, make sure you have a specific cleaning and disinfecting protocol for any surfaces or objects they may have contacted.

• Provide adequate cleaning and disinfecting supplies and make sure they are accessible.
• Inspect soap, hand sanitizer, and paper towel dispensers. Make sure they are functional and resupplied as needed.
• Make sure that requirements for supplying personal protective equipment (PPE) are met. Who pays for PPE varies by jurisdiction.
• When working with chemicals, workers should wear appropriate gloves, eye protection such as goggles or face shield, an apron, and footwear. In some cases, respiratory protection may be required. Refer to the product manufacturer’s instructions or safety data sheet for details.
• Replace garbage bins with no-touch or foot-activated receptacles, or remove lids that require contact to open.
• Line garbage cans for safe and convenient disposal of contaminated items, such as used PPE, tissues, and cleaning materials.

Provide workers with training and education on:

• How COVID-19 spreads.
• Cleaning and disinfecting procedures and your COVID-19 safety plan.
• The importance of following the product manufacturer’s instructions to make sure the product cleans or disinfects effectively.
• Chemical safety:
  • Ventilation of the work area (i.e., good air flow and air exchange rate)
  • Safe handling and disposal
  • Safe product storage, such as keeping containers away from ignition sources and incompatible chemicals
  • Appropriate PPE for the product being used
• How to properly wear, remove, work with, inspect, and care for PPE (if workers are required to wear it), and to understand its limitations.
• When and how to perform hand hygiene, such as before and after cleaning or wearing PPE.
• Other health and safety training requirements for your jurisdiction, such as understanding the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) and safety data sheets for any hazardous products that workers are expected to use.

Cleaning is the act of removing debris and residues from dirty surfaces and objects. It does not necessarily destroy the COVID-19 virus but can remove some during the cleaning process.

• Clean visibly dirty surfaces before disinfecting. Dirt can physically block disinfectants from reaching the virus and may contain inorganic or organic materials that make disinfectants less effective.
• There are many ways to clean:
  • Hot or cold water (wetting, soaking, jet spray, laundry agitation, flushing)
  • Cleaning products (detergents, liquids, soaps, gels, powders)
  • Scrubbing or wiping (damp cloth, sponge, paper towel, mop)
  • Dry collection (dusting, sweeping)
  • Air (vacuum, high-pressure air stream)
  • Vibration (ultrasonic cavitation bath)

When selecting the appropriate cleaning method(s) for your workplace, consider the following:

• Damp cleaning methods (damp clean cloths and wet mops) are more effective at collecting and containing particles than dry methods (dusting and sweeping).
• Damp cleaning methods such as wiping are also less likely to distribute virus particles into the air and onto other surfaces.
• Replace dry cleaning methods with damp ones where possible.
• Cleaning tools such as sweeping brooms, compressed air wands, and pressure washers create air turbulence and particle sprays that could distribute viruses further. Avoid using these cleaning methods where possible.
• If using a vacuum unit that vents to the indoors, make sure the air filter is High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) rated.

Disinfecting is the act of treating a surface or object to destroy or inactivate viruses and bacteria. Disinfection is recommended for frequently touched (high-touch) surfaces and shared objects.

• Choose the best way to disinfect:
  • Chemical disinfectants (liquid, spray, soak)
  • Diluted bleach solution
  • Boiling in water (100°C for at least 3 minutes)
• Choose a disinfectant product with a drug identification number (DIN) on the label. This number means that it has been approved by Health Canada for use.
• Refer to Health Canada’s list of hard surface disinfectants that are likely to be effective against COVID-19.
• Clean visible dirt from the surface before applying disinfectant.
• Follow the disinfectant label instructions. Use the recommended quantity and dilution. Many disinfectants require contact with the surface for a specified amount of time to be effective (e.g., 10 minutes).
• Make sure the disinfectant is applied according to the label, such as:
  • Apply using a cloth leaving the surface visibly wet; or,
  • Spray until the entire surface is visibly wet.
• Allow the surface to air dry or wipe down after the recommended contact time.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for disinfecting high-touch electronics (e.g., touch screens, pin pads, keyboards, tablets). If liquids can be withstood, disinfect with alcohol or disinfectant wipes containing 70% alcohol.
• Some materials may be damaged by chemical treatment, in which case boiling in water or steam-sterilization (autoclave) may be suitable alternatives.
• Never use hard surface disinfectant products to sanitize your skin; this could be dangerous to your health. Instead, use an approved alcohol-based hand sanitizer product.

Using bleach solution:

• If commercial disinfectant cleaning products are unavailable, hard surfaces can be disinfected using a 0.1% sodium hypochlorite (bleach) solution.
• This can easily be prepared by:
  • Mixing 5 millilitres (1 teaspoon) of household bleach (5% sodium hypochlorite) into 250 millilitres (1 cup) of water; or
  • Mixing 20 millilitres (4 teaspoons) household bleach into 1 liter (4 cups) of water.
• Follow safe procedures when working with bleach:
  • Always add bleach to water, not water to bleach.
  • Bleach solutions should be prepared daily. After 24 hours they lose their disinfectant properties.
  • Do not mix bleach with any other chemicals. Mixing bleach with vinegar, glass cleaners, ammonia, alcohol, and other chemicals can release toxic gases.
  • Bleach is corrosive. To prevent damage, test surfaces before using a bleach solution.
  • Never use bleach or diluted bleach on yourself or others.

Used cleaning materials such as sponges or paper towels can contain residual chemicals or viruses, so handle them carefully:

• Perform hand hygiene after cleaning and disinfecting, and after handling used cleaning materials or garbage:
  • Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to remove any chemical residue or viruses that may have contacted the skin.
  • If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
• Use dedicated cleaning and disinfecting materials (towels, sponges, mops, etc.) that can be washed and dried completely after each use.
• Store soiled reusable materials in a closed laundry bag or hamper.
• Wash reusable materials with regular laundry soap and hot water (60-90°C).
• Put used disposable materials and PPE (e.g., paper towels, gloves) in a lined garbage bin.
• Seal liner bags before disposing of them with regular waste.
• Empty garbage at least daily. Use disposable gloves when handling garbage.
• Safely dispose of waste chemicals and empty containers. Some products can harm the environment. Follow the waste disposal laws in your local municipality.